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Ancient Greece

3 Major Periods of Ancient Greek Civilization

1. Early Civilizations: Minoans (Crete) Mycenae (mi se ne), City States Rise, Colonization, Persian Wars 2. Classical Greece (flourishing of arts, literature, philosophy; domination by Sparta and Athens, development of democracy) 3. Hellenistic Age: Macedonia Empire and Alexander the Great

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What are the characteristics of Ancient Greece’s geography?

Geographic Features 1.  Sea: heavy influence on physical environment of

Greece (Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea)

2.  Mountains (with narrow valleys): cover more than ¾ of Greece’s surface area and islands: more than 2000 islands (Crete being the largest)

3. No major rivers on Greek mainland but fertile soil

4.  Climate: winter= mild climate; summer= hot climate with rainfall from October to March = long growing season

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RESOURCES ñ  grain ñ  fine cheese made of goat’s milk ñ  timber ñ  wild game ñ  wool of sheep = cloth MOST IMPORTANT CROPS ñ  olives = oil ñ  grapes = wine ñ  grain ñ  clay = pottery

Effects of Geography ñ  Seafaring tradition: reliance on navy and fleets

for power and protection ñ  sea provided link to trade and cultural exchange

with Mediterranean communities ñ  Isolationism: protection but lack of effective

communication ñ  Greece was organized into polis (independent

city states) separated by seas and rugged mountains

ñ  Emergence of dominant city states (Athens, Sparta)

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ñ  Art work (drawings, murals or frescoes) at Knossos shows dangerous sports such as leaping over the backs of charging bulls as well as dancing, athletics and festivals

What Can we Conclude about the Minoans based on their Art?

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Early Greeks: The Minoans

c. 3200 -1100 BCE

ñ  http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Jz3d5x-MUT4&feature=related ñ  Lived on island of Crete ñ  Great navigators and farmers ñ  Developed Linear A ñ  Palace led political, social and

economic organization at Knossos ñ  Artistic expressions and grand

construction ñ  Advancements in bronze ñ  Built sanctuaries

Palace of Minos at Knossos (K-NOSS-oss) ñ Knossos-most powerful monarch for Minoans ñ Palaces controlled all agricultural goods and products by storing in large storerooms ñ Palaces became the centres of exchange for Minoan economy ñ Palaces had dozens of interconnecting rectangular rooms on two or more storeys which were grouped around a large open courtyard (administrative and religious)

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Greek Myths

FUNCTIONS ñ  Explained the world ñ  Means of Exploration ñ  Provided authority and

legitimacy ñ  Entertainment

Myth of the Minotaur ñ  Minoan Myth of King Minos

at Knossos ñ  Theseus defeats the

Minotaur (half man half bull) and escapes from the maze like structure called the labyrinth, saving the youth of Athens

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Girl Power: Was Minoan Civilization Run By Women?

ñ  Some archeological discoveries have lead some to believe Minoan Civilization was a matriarchal society.

Double Headed Axe

THEORIES FOR DECLINE OF MINOANS

ñ  1750 BCE- earthquake destroys Minoan

palaces ñ  1628 BCE- volcano erupts at Thera ñ  1400 BCE- War between Minoans and

Myceaneans led to decline of power